Surplus, Simplicity, and Community

delivered February, 1993 at First Parish in Lexington, Mass.

PRELUDE

HYMN # 14 (Cong. songbook) "Here We Have Gathered"

OPENING WORDS AND CANDLELIGHTING
From many places, many stories and many walks of life, we have come to be with each other this morning in this place of sanctuary. We light this candle to symbolize the light and warmth of the community that we make together.

UNISON AFFIRMATION

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

OFFERTORY

CHILDREN'S STORY-- The Wizard of Christchurch

ANTHEM

SONG "As We Leave This Friendly Place"

FIRST READING (Doug)
    from The Discourses of Epictetus

SECOND READING (Deb)
    from Your Money or Your Life by Joe Domnguez and Vicki Robin

ANTHEM

MEDITATION
Consider the lillies of the field. They toil not, neither to they spin. And yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [Matthew 6:28-29]

HYMN

SERMON "Surplus, Simplicity, and Community"

HYMN "Simple Gifts"

CLOSING WORDS
In the words of the Tao Te Ching
 "Be content with what you have;
 rejoice in the way things are.
 When you realize that there is nothing lacking,
 the whole world belongs to you."